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Home Depot honored for courtesy toward veterans

Signs of gratitude

Photo by Dan Balmer/Peninsula Clarion American Legion representatives recognized the Kenai Home Depot for having a reserved parking spot for United States Veterans Thursday.

Photo by Dan Balmer/Peninsula Clarion American Legion National Commander Daniel Dillinger presents Kenai Home Depot store manager Mark Pierson with a certificate of appreciation for the store's honor of veterans with a reserved parking space.

Photo by Dan Balmer/Peninsula Clarion American Legion National Commander Daniel Dillinger thanks Kenai Home Depot store manager Mark Pierson for the reserving a parking spot for veterans Thursday in Kenai. Dillinger, from Virginia, is in town for the 95th annual American Legion Alaska Department Convention from Thursday to Saturday at Post 20 in Kenai. American Legion dignitaries presented the store with a plague and a United States flag to show their appreciation for their support of veterans.

Sometimes a small gesture has a big impact.

When the Kenai Home Depot installed a sign that reserved two front parking spaces for United States Veterans last fall, members of the American Legion Post 20 noticed and wanted to show their gratitude.

At a brief presentation on Thursday, dignitaries from the American Legion, including the National Commander Daniel Dillinger, presented a certificate of appreciation to the Kenai Home Depot store manager Mark Pierson, for the parking space reserved for veterans. Post 20 Department Commander Alvin Diaz of Kenai also presented a new American Flag for the exterior of the store.

Diaz said one of the legion members a few months back noticed Home Depot could use a new flag and in speaking with workers discovered the front parking spot as a way to honor veterans. He said the legion waited until the National Commander was in town for the 95th annual Alaska Department Convention from Thursday to Saturday, to show their thanks for the sign.

Dillinger, from Virginia said the parking spot means a great deal.

“Whenever you can partner with the community to help the veterans that is what we are all about,” he said. “We are all about patriotism and are here to thank the community for what they do for veterans and for patriotism.”

Pierson, who has worked at the Kenai Home Depot for 10 years since it opened, said the company has a long-standing history of supporting veterans in different ways. On a personal level, the veteran’s parking space is their way to honor and show how important they are in the community.

“We realize we are beneficiaries for what veterans have done for us,” he said. “This is just a way to say thank you so when they come in, they can park right up front and not have any issues and load up easily.”